The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television during the week of May 26, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week. Televised films may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations while the programs listed have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by OSV News.
Streaming Now
“Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991; Amazon Prime)
The youthful reminiscences of a nursing home resident (Jessica Tandy) about an unsolved, half-century-old murder mystery involving two spunky Alabama women (Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker) inspire her newfound friend, a frustrated Southern housewife (Kathy Bates), to put her own house in order. An initially sluggish script hampers director Jon Avnet’s beautifully acted movie but can’t submerge its warm-hearted tribute to friendship, female solidarity and respect for people of color. Very brief violence and a few sexual references. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (2004; Hulu)
Offbeat tragicomedy about a washed up Jacques Cousteau-like oceanographer (played in delightful deadpan by Bill Murray) who, along with his oddball crew, sets out on an open sea adventure — which he chronicles on film as part of his latest documentary — to hunt down the shark that ate his partner, while at the same time coming to terms with a new deckhand (Owen Wilson) who may, or may not, be his long-lost son. Directed by Wes Anderson, this Melvillian revenge could use more wind in its sails, but stays afloat thanks to its cleverly quirky script, imaginatively animated aquatic life and good performances from its eccentric ensemble. Some strong violence, recreational drug use, an implied sexual encounter, an instance of brief gratuitous nudity, much rough and crude language and profanity. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” (2019; Netflix)
Heartwarming drama, primarily set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, in which a young man with Down syndrome (Zack Gottsagen) and no family to care for him escapes the retirement home where the state has warehoused him for lack of a more suitable facility and takes to the road. He crosses paths with a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman (Shia LaBeouf) who’s being pursued by two lowlife rivals (John Hawkes and rapper Yelawolf). Though his new companion is initially gruff, the two bond and the angler agrees to help the lad achieve his dream of meeting his idol, a professional wrestler (Thomas Haden Church). As the duo shares Tom and Huck-like adventures, a sympathetic caregiver from the old-age home (Dakota Johnson) is on their trail. Directors and co-writers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz handle their Southern Gothic-tinged story with a light and dexterous touch. The result is an aesthetically accomplished, implicitly pro-life movie that subtly but resolutely upholds the dignity of all. A good deal of gritty talk, though justified by the context, probably puts this off-limits even for older teens, despite its valuable message. Brief partial nudity, mature themes, a few uses of profanity, at least one rough term, pervasive crude and some crass language, a couple of obscene gestures. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, May 26, 1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.” A concert performance of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s acclaimed musical depiction of Mary’s suffering as Jesus died on the cross, filmed at the Church of Our Lady in Dresden, Germany. Part of the occasional series “In Concert” (TV-G – general audience).
Sunday, May 26, 2-5:30 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Troy” (2004). Epic-scale rendering of the Trojan War, loosely based on Homer’s “The Iliad,” which chronicles the siege and eventual sack of Troy by an invading Greek army, beginning with Paris (Orlando Bloom) spiriting away Helen (Diane Kruger) from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson), and culminating in the Greeks using the infamous wooden horse to seal the fate of the doomed city. While crowded with clashing armies, director Wolfgang Petersen’s demythologized retelling of the ancient tale is, at its core, an intimate story of two soldiers, the near-invincible Achilles (Brad Pitt) and his valiant Trojan counterpart, Hector (Eric Bana), which, though set amid sweeping sword-and-sandal spectacle, remains grounded in human drama. Much intense battlefield violence and several implied sexual encounters with partial nudity. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Sunday, May 26, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) “National Memorial Day Concert.” This annual musical remembrance, broadcast from Washington, features the National Symphony Orchestra.
Monday, May 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “Archdiocese for the Military Services Memorial Mass.” This annual Mass honoring the nation’s military services is celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington (TV-G – general audience).
Thursday, May 30, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) “The Front Page” (1974). New edition of the Charles MacArthur-Ben Hecht play about tough Chicago newspapermen in the 1920s pits Jack Lemmon as the ace reporter against Walter Matthau as his wily editor. Directed by Billy Wilder, there is plenty of sharp, fast comedy straight out of the original, but nicely put over by a fine cast and a few neat touches of the director. Some, however, will be put off by the constant stream of pressroom profanity. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (Followed by the 1931 original screen version, directed by Lewis Milestone, 10 p.m.-midnight EDT)
Friday, May 31, 9-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 80th Anniversary.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” celebrates the musical theater pioneers whose first collaboration, “Oklahoma!” opened on Broadway in 1943. Performers include Aaron Tveit, Patrick Wilson and Audra McDonald.
Saturday, June 1, 9:56-11:35 p.m. EDT (Cinemax) “Fargo” (1996). A debt-ridden Minnesota car dealer (William H. Macy) hires two thugs to kidnap his wife and split the hefty ransom her wealthy father would pay, but all goes horribly awry, resulting in several murders doggedly investigated by a small-town chief of police (Frances McDormand). Finding black comedy in this loosely fact-based tragedy, filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen chillingly depict earnest small-towners caught up in shocking violence, although justice eventually prevails in the unlikely form of a folksy, very pregnant police officer. Recurring gory violence and much rough language. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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